Clinical Outcomes of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Baseline left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is associated with subsequent risks of acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality in patients with sepsis. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in hemodynamically unstable patients with severe sepsis and septic shock combined with LV dysfunction.Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, severe sepsis and septic shock patients with LV dysfunction were classified into one of two groups according to the timing of CRRT: the early group (before AKI was detected) or the control group (patients with AKI). All-cause intensive care unit (ICU) mortality and ICU stay were compared between the groups. Patients were weighted by stabilized inverse probability of treatment weights (sIPTW) to overcome differences in baseline characteristics.Results: After sIPTW analysis, the ICU mortality was significantly lower in the early group than the control group (25.9% vs 59.0%, p < 0.001). Weighted multivariable analysis showed that early CRRT initiation was a protective factor for the risk of ICU mortality. Early CRRT initiation significantly improved the ICU mortality compared to the control group (OR, 0.322; 95% CI, 0.125-0.834; p = 0.020).Conclusions: Early CRRT in the absence of AKI is suggested for hemodynamically unstable patients with severe sepsis and septic shock combined with LV dysfunction since it benefits survival outcomes.Trial registration: The study was preregistered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (number, ChiCTR2000033083).